The Head of Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary Lauds Embassy of S/Leone Staff in Washington DC

  The Head of Sierra Leone’s Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Ernest Surur has showered praises on the Ambassador Bockari Kortu Stevens led administration for not only ensuring that the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington DC work in consonance within the realm of the concept and policy of the President Ernest Bai Koroma led government, but for also carrying themselves in a manner that resonates with the momentum of the diplomatic community and the United States government in his area of posting.

FROM LEFT : DR. SURRUR, AMBASSADOR STEVENS , AMBASSADOR IBRAHIM CONTEH AND MRS. ISATU SILLAH

DR. SURRUR AND STAFF OF THE EMBASSY

‘As head of the civil service, I have the opportunity through an established system- to assess and evaluate the quality of civil servants or individuals the government hire on the basis of professional merit. The civil service of yester years is not what it is today: “with the commitment of President Ernest Bai Koroma, coupled with the help of our bilateral partners, a lot of changes, modernization and transformation have taken place. I can state here: that President Ernest Bai Koroma has not only raised the quality in terms of capacity building of civil servants, but has also left them in continuous hope for better conditions- because he keeps improving the quality of their lives through a periodic review of their conditions of service.

Dr. Surur admonished members of staff to give their “best to Sierra Leone by diligently and dedicatedly serve her during their different lines of duties because “Sierra Leone is all what we have.” Dr. Surur dilated on the successes of the “agenda for change” and the rationale for its metamorphosis into the new concept of “Agenda for Prosperity.”

 

“The Agenda for prosperity does not necessarily mean that the government is going to put money into the pockets of every individual Sierra Leonean – thereby making them wealthy over- night: the agenda for prosperity will see adequate provision of basic facilities and services for the ordinary Sierra Leonean in every corner of the Country, thereby making life unchallenging.

Responding, Ambassador Bockari Stevens thanked the Head of the Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary for coming to the Embassy of Sierra Leone, and welcomed him. He described the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Washington DC as very busy station that is characterized by different types of meetings that require appropriate representation. He described his diplomatic and local staff as very competent and dedicated, who have been ably assisting in their various capacities to further the work of Government. In as much as we have challenges, they are not insurmountable, because we work as a dedicated team.

 

In her own contribution, the Minister Counselor Mrs. Isatu Sillah said she enjoys maximum cooperation from members of staff. Dr. Surur encouraged all to continue to give their best, because whatever you do here as representatives of the Government directly reflects on us back home.

 

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Abu Bakarr Wurie described the visit of the Head of Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary as a “unique opportunity because, ever since I began working for the government of Sierra Leone, this is my first time of meeting such a high profile government official.”.  He said Dr. Suru’s comments about the dedication of staff to their work, coupled with admonition and his commendation has really motivated them. On behalf of the staff Mr. Wurie assured the Head of Civil Service and Cabinet Secretary that his visit and comments will be greatly impacted on their work. Mr. Wurie prayed for journey mercy for Dr. Surur and wished him a safe trip. -0-

 

Pasco Gerald Temple